July 11th, 2008
By Arthur

I have had plenty of inspiration for posts lately. It seems that everywhere I turn there was something that was motivating me to write. I could write about a few of the things that happened on vacation (and those will be coming next week, or at least some of them), or I could write another Shiloh post that I’ve had in my head. I even contemplated writing a deeper post about something I read on Kristine’s blog today, but in the end I decided to go with a very good topic-our bun in the oven.

I haven’t written a baby update in quite awhile, so I figured now was as good a time as any to write one. We have now been through two ultrasounds and both went very well. All the necessary parts were visible and accounted for. You all know by now that we are having a girl, so there is no need to tell you that again, but I do have an update on a name.

We had contemplated over quite a few names, and taken into account many suggestions about names, but ultimately agree at this point, that it is going to be Abigail. Abigail Michelle has a nice ring to it I think. I’m not a betting man, but I would almost bet at this point, that the name will not change. The wife and I are both in agreement and feel pretty strong about it. Thanks for everyone’s input about names, and Jody, I love the name Autumn as well, but when my last name is a different season, it doesn’t really work:)

On a different note, I also felt my first movement while on vacation. We were on the boat on the 4th and suddenly the wife is thrusting my hand on her stomach. I wait patiently and lo and behold I feel a little thump. It is the only one I’ve felt so far, in multiple attempts, but it was very cool and there was no question what I was feeling. The wife feels movement all the time now, but obviously that doesn’t always translate into movement I can feel on the outside.

The bottom line is that the pregnancy is going well, and the wife seems to get bigger everyday (I mean that in a nice way honey). We will be starting on the baby room sometime very soon as well. We already have the crib on order, and we need to get registered for the baby showers as well. I think I’m going to get a stroller like Blessed has. That thing is sooo freaking cool.

So that pretty much wraps up the baby update. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Popularity: 20% [?]

June 26th, 2008
By Arthur

Last Saturday, during our visit to South Carolina, my cousin came up with a pretty good plan.  He wanted all of us to head down to Atlanta, Georgia and visit the world’s largest aquarium, and it definitely wasn’t a disappointment.

The Georgia Aquarium  was awesome.  I really wasn’t sure what to expect, and having not visited an aquarium before, I went in with an open mind.  The aquarium was great, and it was especially cool for the kids.  We had a 4 yr old, a 3 yr old, and a 2 yr old with us and I don’t think any of them left disappointed.  They did have their moments, as all young ‘uns do, but for the most part they were very well behaved and got to see some great sites.

The aquarium was devided into a bunch of different parts, but the greatest part for me was being able to ride the people mover and glide underneath one of the bigger areas of the aquarium.  To stand on that mover and watch a huge Whale Shark pass right over head was awesome.  Sure I had some thoughts about jaws and such, but it was quite an experience to feel like you were in the tank with the fish.  It was great.

There was also penguins, otters, sea lions, many different species of fish, and my personal favorite, the beluga whales.  They had four in one area of the aquarium and they were a blast to watch.  I swear they knew they had an audience and that they weren’t about to let anyone leave disappointed.  I laughed out loud at a couple of the things they did.

Another great part of the aquarium was the touch pools.  At these pools you could touch manta rays, certain sharks, sea stars, shrimp, and a few other aquatic species.  It was pretty cool to be able to touch these particular fish and such and the kids just loved every minute of that-well maybe not, but I liked it!

The aquarium was a great time, and despite a little bit of a haul to get there, it was worth it.  Definitely something I can scratch off the list and a unique experience to say the least.  Maybe we will have to go back when the dolphins arrive in 2010.  We’ll have to see.

Popularity: 24% [?]

June 25th, 2008
By Arthur

I mentioned last week about the pond that my father-in-law has and about the fish that are stocked in the pond.  There is nothing I like better than fishing at a private pond, and more importantly than that, the pond is a perfect place to get kids involved in fishing.  We definitely did that.

The pictures you see are from last week.  The mother-in-law just sent them to me, because I was a slacker and forgot our camera that night.  We definitely got the kids involved that night, and even got the real youngsters involved in fishing.

My 8 month old nephew got to test out his feelings about his first live fish, and that went very well.  The minute he saw it he was immediately touching it and putting his finger IN IT’S MOUTH!  I thought that was hysterical.  It definitely proved he was ready to start fishing already and doesn’t have any fear when it comes to slimy wet creatures.

I also got to help my 3 year old niece fish with her pink Dora the Explorer pole (notice it is pink Jody!).  She was having a great time, but couldn’t quite grasp the whole idea of holding the button down AND casting at the same time, so Uncle Arthur jumped in and helped her.  I had a great time and knew it would be great practice for the years to come.  She was all about casting and reeling in the fish, but wanted nothing to do with touching the fish or baiting the hook.  In fact, at one point when I was baiting the hook near her, she promptly told me “it scared her”.

The kids had a great time, and despite the niece being a little afraid of the fish, she still didn’t want to quit reeling ‘em in!

I can’t wait to get out there again.  One of these days it is going to be with my kids, but until then, the nieces and nephews are great companions.

Popularity: 26% [?]

June 17th, 2008
By Arthur

It has been years since I went to my Hunter’s Education class, but I can still remember vividly what the experience was like. I remember who my instructors were, as well as taking the test in order to pass the class. I can even remember getting my first chance to shoot at clay pigeons at the course. All of these memories were brought back this weekend because Jeff took his troop of boys to their first hunter safety classes.

One boy is already of age to hunt, and through the apprenticeship program that Michigan now has, was able to get out last year and try turkey and deer hunting. The other boy can finally hunt for the first time this year since Michigan lowered their minimum age requirement to hunt big game with a bow to 10. He is pumped and ready to go that is for sure. The youngest still has a few years left before he can hunt, but Jeff thought it was a wise idea to get him into the program while his brother’s were taking it also. They can never be too young to get interested in hunting, that is for sure. Whether it be actually hunting or learning safe hunting techniques, I don’t feel that there is a minimum age.

All the boys had a great time and passed their exams. They taught the kids how to cross a fence safely, and had a nice fence demo set up to help the boys with that. They also had the boys carry “mock” guns and walk in a line, to simulate bird hunting, and taught them how to stay together, communicate, and depending on which way the bird flushed, who was the first shooter, and the second, and so on.

I honestly didn’t have quite that much direction at my hunter’s safety class, but I had a brother, dad, and uncle who taught me the proper and safe ways to hunt. I think it is great that the boys got to learn safe hunting practices while also being able to simulate the real thing as well.

The local Pheasant’s forever chapter put this hunter’s safety course together, and I am really impressed with all they have done. The entire course was free, and they even supplied the kids with breakfast, lunch, and a snack at no charge. They also roped Jeff into helping out a little bit as you can tell from one of the pictures.

The kids had a great time and hopefully we will be able to celebrate with all of them on their first safe, and clean kill!

Popularity: 17% [?]